Welcome to the Creativity episode, part of Science Savvy with Carmen. In this episode, I explore the science behind creative thinking and how the brain fuels imagination. With my background in pharmacology and biomedical engineering, I break down the science behind creativity and unpack how it shows up in your daily life.
This episode covers the roles of the prefrontal cortex and default mode network, the surprising impact of dopamine on creative flow, and how certain brain states enhance idea generation. Joined by my friend Alicia, an artist and entrepreneur with a background in psychology, we look at how both science and lived experience shape creative expression. Whether you’re an artist, a science enthusiast, or just curious about where great ideas come from, this episode offers clear and engaging insights grounded in real research.
Science Savvy helps you understand the systems shaping your thoughts, health, and behavior. If you're ready to explore your body and brain with a little more clarity, you're in the right place.
Further reading and references:
Adnan, A., Beaty, R., Silvia, P., Spreng, R. N., & Turner, G. R. (2019). Creative aging: Functional brain networks associated with divergent thinking in older and younger adults. Neurobiology of Aging, 75, 150–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.11.004 Kulisevsky, J., Pagonabarraga, J., & Martinez-Corral, M. (2009). Changes in artistic style and behaviour in Parkinson's disease: Dopamine and creativity. Journal of Neurology, 256(5), 816–819. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-009-5001-1 Weinberger, A. B., Green, A. E., & Chrysikou, E. G. (2017). Using transcranial direct current stimulation to enhance creative cognition: Interactions between task, polarity, and stimulation site. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11, 246. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00246 Chi, R. P., & Snyder, A. W. (2012). Brain stimulation enables the solution of an inherently difficult problem. Neuroscience Letters, 515(2), 121–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2012.03.012
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.